Blue-Ribbon State Fairs

Blue-Ribbon State Fairs

If you think all state fairs are alike, Jim Kopel has a few choice words for you: "Each one reflects the identity of its state—and some are much more memorable than others." He should know. After retiring from his teaching job in Moline, Illinois, Kopel spent the better part of a decade visiting every single state fair in America—evaluating them against more than 100 criteria and taking copious notes on just what sets each event apart. The project started in 1999 with Iowa ("Really the best overall," he declares) and wrapped up four years ago in Washington. "It became something of an obsession," admits Kopel. "These five top my short list, each for very different reasons."

Iowa State Fair | Standout Food

Iowa State Fair | Standout Food

Other states, take note: Iowa sees your corn dogs and cotton candy and raises them—with nearly 200 concession stands. There are over 50 different treats in the on-a-stick category alone! Consider the octodog, a hot dog shaped like an octopus; or if you're feeling virtuous, an entire salad served on a skewer. New delicacies debut each summer, and they're alwas over-the-top. (Fried butter, anyone?)Kopel rates Iowa as his all-time favorite, but admits to bias: He grew up in the state and exhibited his Chester White swine on these grounds in the 1950s.